Miniature God

I've heard it often said that, "God has been taken out of (insert place here)."  That if we would just put God back that all our problems would begin to fade away.  And when I hear things like this, I think... when did God become so small?

When did God become so small that s/he could be moved or placed?  When did s/he become this "thing" that we push around as we please?

It used to make me mad.  Now I just wonder.

I wonder what it would mean if their tiny God grew to be the amazing solace that I know.  The joy dwelling in my child as she enters school.  The peace I feel in that chaotic moment at work.  I wonder how they can't see God there.

We haven't taken God out of anything, we've just stopped looking.

Spiritual Pep-Rally

Sunday rolls around and it's off we go.  Set up, practice, service, tear down, leave. There are classes, but none that really make me want to go. I used to lead one, but the topics weren't interesting.

I leave feeling connected to God. But I feel that way daily anyway.

I leave feeling glad to see people. But I feel that way daily anyway.

I leave knowing God loves me. But I feel that way daily anyway.

I also leave feeling unfulfilled and like I attended and hour of a pep rally. For a game that already happened and we won.  

I don't know if I'm the only who feels like that. Like church has become less about teaching and more about making people feel great. Which, let's be fair,  is all great, unless it's not.

I find that I feel more fulfilled in my spiritual conversations with others, than I do from attending service.

I find that I feel more connected to God feeding the hungry, than sitting through a sermon.

I find I am missing something.

I don't think my church is bad, oh I don't agree with everything. In fact, many times I very greatly disagree...

I do wonder if I am looking for something that the church can provide at this time, or if I need to look elsewhere for the teachings of equality and love.

I do wonder if I am out of line expecting that I hear about Ferguson, The Re-Frocking of a Pastor, or the church views on homosexuality. And then, if I am indeed out of line...

Do I want to be in line at all.

Let's play a game...

... It's called who is your daddy and what does he do....

Kinda, but more like, "Who is your God and what does He do."  For all intents and purposes, the you here refers to me and the our and we statements are purely mine and not staying that everyone feels this way. I cannot speak for all Christians and don't pretend to.

So, I think if you asked that question of a group of Christians you would get vastly different answers. Some would liken him to a father, some a teacher, some would say comforter.

I talk to my youth group about that, and there are differences even in our small group.

When I think of God... I think of sacrifice.  When I think of sacrifice... I think of Jesus. When I think of Jesus... I think of revolutionary.  I always think of the story of Jesus entering the temple and throwing the tables over and admonishing the money changers.

This speaks to me in so many ways... Not that it was a show of force, but a cleansing of what was accepted.  Jesus came and rocked the world of the religious leaders of the time. He stood up for the persecuted and hung out with tax collectors, fisherman and whores.

Yes he was perfect, we say he was anyway... But a lot of people said he wasn't back then... And he still stood up for what he knew was right. I want to be like that... That is why I call him Father... And as for what he does... He inspires me daily to stand up for what I believe in and be the voice to the ones who don't have one. To see the homeless and not look through them, to fight for the rights of others, for it is not my right to judge, to not become complacent in the world, but to shake it up and leave a mark....

Peace